Fireproof filing container



June 21, 1932. B. F. HANNUM FIREPROOF FILING CONTAINER Filed Oct. 16, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l M, z W ,M a F a f a 5 v 3 f 2 WM.

Wmfi/M, M w r e June 21, 1932. B. F. HANNUM FIREPRQOF FILING CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 16, 1929 Illlllllllll ll-ill by the burning Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

BYRON F. BLANNUM, OF CLEVELAND, OHQIO, ASSIGNOR TO HUNT & DORMAN MANUFACF TUBING COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION or OHIO FIREPROOF FILING CONTAINER Application filed October 16, 1929. Serial No. 399,988.

This invention relates to fireproof filing cabinets for storing such combustible and explosive objects as nitrocellulose X-ray films and the like, and the general purpose of this invention is to provide a safe and convenient means for storing such films and the like.

sufiicient means of escape for gases generated films to prevent the explosion thereof under all circumstances; another object of this invention is to limit, in case of fire, the combustion to one container of the filing cabinet so that the destruction of the contents of one container will not in anyway destroy the contents of the adjacent containers. V

Still another object of my invention is to prevent water or any liquid dropping on to one of these compartments either from a sprinkling means or from any source, from entering into a compartment and damaging the contents therein.

Another object is to provide a readily closable cover which will be quickly and automatically closed when a container is inserted in the rack, while another object is to provide a suitable means for holding the cover in open position while the contents of the container are accessible.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, I have shown, for the purposes of illustration, one form which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section from front to reartaken substantially on the line l'1, of Fig. 2; a

Fig; 2 is a central vertical section at right angles to Fig. '1, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; V 5 l Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 of Fig. 1, while Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the container pulled out and the cover opened.

I show the embodiment of my invention as Another object of this invention is to allow 7 be usedfor constructing this container, the embodiment herein shown however consisting of a container having the various parts welded together thus providing a strong and waterproof construction. A plurality of small apertures 16 are disposed near the top of the two sides 12 for permitting the ready escape of any gases formed within the con-' tainer 11, while a cover 17, also of an all metal construction, is provided with flanges 18 extending below the apertures 16 when the cover 17 is in closed position on the container 11. The flanges 18 are constructed so that they are spaced a short distance from the sides 12 of the container 11 for permitting the free passage of gases from the in: side of the container 11 through the apertures 16. The cover 17 is secured to the topof the back 14of the container 11 by means of a hinge 19 suitably secured to the inner surface of the flange at the rear of the cover 17 and to the top and outside surface of the back 14. A convenient handle e, 20 suitably secured to the; outside surface of the front 13 of the container 11 provides a convenient meansfor moving the container 11, while a label-holder 2'1 suitably secured to the outside surface of the front l3 provides a C011,

venient means for marking or indexing the contents of the container.

It usually will be found desirable to use a plurality of these containers, and when more than one of such containers is used, it is, found desirable to use a rack 22 herein shown as comprising spaced vertical T-irons 23 joined by horizontally disposed angle irons 24'secured thereto by any suitable means, and support angle irons 26 resting on thehorizontal angle irons 24 are secured thereto in. any suitable manner as by welding and these support angle irons 26 provide a track means for permitting the sliding of the-container 11 inthe rack 22. a The supportangle irons 26 are depressed downwardly and flaredoutwardly, intermediate their ends, asindicated,

v at 35, for deflecting liquid onto the container g adapted to cooperate witha horizontally disposed retaining bar 28 suitably disposed on the'outside'surface of the back 14 of the container 11 and extending shortly beyond the sides thereof, the same being secured to the back 14 of the container 11 by clips 29 secured to the back 14: in any suitable manner. A loop 30 having one end secured in a clip 31 suitably secured to the outside of the flange at the back of the cover 17 cooperates with a corrugated clip 32 suitably secured to the outside of the back 1d for holding the cover 17 in a. fixed open position over the container 11.

In actual operation, it will be found advisable to line the bottom of the container 11 with a fireproof and heat resisting material herein shown as a strip of asbestos 33 sothat films contained therein will be protected from the flame and heat which might be generated in an adjacent container.

In operation the operator first takes hold of the handle 20 and slides the container'll forwardly until the retaining 'bar 28 rests against the vertical T-irons 23 and when. the container 11 has reached this position," it will be. held in an advanced position by means of. the retaining bar 28 resting against the vertical T-irons 23'. The cover 17' then is opened by lifting up the front of the cover, the same. swinging freely on the hinge 19 until the loop 30' engages one of the corrugations in the clip 32 at which time the cover will'be held in an open position as illustrated in Fig. 4.. The container 11 now is. in position for the inserting and removing of films. In the event that the films in the container Ilshould' be ignited while the container is in an advanced position with the cover 17 open,'the operator may quickly and easily limit the flames produced by such ignition to this one compart- Inentby sliding the container 11 quickly back into position in the rack 22' and as soon as the top 17, engages t ehorizontal angle iron immediately above, it will release the loop 3O from" its position in the clip 32 and thereby permit the cover to close by gravity; When the cover 17' is thus returned to the rack, suf- Y ficient means of escape are given for the gases generated tllGI'GlIl, to prevent the. explosion of. any other films within said container and the flames are confined to the one container. If such rack supporting the containers 11 is in a room provided with an auto matic sprinkling; system, the heat from the flame will cause the sprinkling system to drop a spray of water on the containers. It will be apparent that the flanges: 18 on the cover 17 will prevent any dripping, water from entering the container 11. I

From the foregoing, it will be apparent to. those skilled inthe art that; a readily acces sible all. metal container has been provided which will prevent the: explosion of films therein and at the same time protect the contents. from. water or any liquidwhich might be dropped thereon for the purpose of extina flamez. It further willbeapparent to. those: skilled. the art that the invention possesses uses and advantages not specifically mentioned herein and that the invention may be variously changed, used and modified, all without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing and it therefore will be understood that the disclosureherein is illustrative only and that the invention is not limited thereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is i 1. A fireproof container, as for storing such combustible and explosive articles as films and the like, comprising: a rectangular fireproof container provided with apertures along its -sides for permitting the escape of gases; therefrom; a cover means secured by hinges to one side of said container; and flanges on said cover means extending over said apertures, for preventing dripping liquid. from entering said apertures, and spaced from said container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said; apertures. V

i 2.v Afireproof container, as for storing such combustible and explosive. articles as films:

and the like comprising: a rectangular firewproof container provided with apertures along its sides for permitting the escape of. gases therefrom; a cover means secured by hingesto one side ofsaid container means for holding said cover in adjustable fixed. position over said container; and flanges.- on. said cover meansextending over said apertures, for pireventingdripping liquid from entering said. apertures, and spaced from said? container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said apertures.

3. A fireproof container,,as for storing such combustible. and explosive articles. as. fihns and the. like comprising: a fireproof cor-itainer provided with aperturesalong its sides for permitting the escape of gases therefrom a cover means for said container; aclip on said cover; a corrugated clip on one side of said container; a loop cooperating with both: said. clips for holding said cover in. adjustable fixedposition over saidcontainer; and flanges on said cover means. extending over said apertures, for preventing entering said apertures, and spacedfroin said container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said. apertures.

4. A fireproof filing cabinet, as; for storing such combustible and explosive articles as and the like, comprising: a fireproof container provided with apertures along its sides for permitting the escape of. gases therefrom; a rack for supporting said. container and permitting said container to slide therealong; tainer adapted to cooperate with the front. of said. rack for' supporting said container in fixed predetermined. advanced position substantially out of said rack; a cover means for said container; and flanges onsaid cover the advantages thereof,

dripping" liquid from.-

a support bar mounted on said: con

means extending over said apertures, for preventing dripping liquid from entering said apertures, and spaced from said container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said apertures.

5. A fireproof filing cabinet, as for storing such combustible and explosive articles as films and the like comprising: a fireproof container provided with apertures along its sides for permitting the escape of gases therefrom; a rack for supporting said container and permitting said container to slide therealong; a cover means for said container; hinge means cooperating with said cover means and said container for permitting the swinging of said cover means on said container; means for closing said cover means as said container is being inserted in said rack; and flanges on said cover means extending over said apertures, for preventing dripping liquid from entering said apertures, and spaced from said container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said apertures.

6. A fireproof filing cabinet, as for storing such combustible and explosive articles as films and the like comprising: a fireproof container provided with apertures along its sides for permitting the escape of gases therefrom; a rack for supporting said container and permitting said container to slide therealong; a cover means for said container; hinge means cooperating with said cover means and said container for permitting the swinging of said cover means on said container; cam means on said rack for closing said cover means as said container is being inserted in said rack; and flanges on said cover means extending over said apertures, for preventing dripping liquid from enter ing said apertures, and spaced from said container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said apertures.

7. A fireproof filing cabinet, as for storing such combustible and explosive articles as films and the like comprising: a fireproof container provided with apertures alongits sides for permitting the escape of gases therefrom; a rack for supporting said container and permitting said container to slide therealong; a support bar mounted on said container adapted to cooperate with the front of said rack for supporting said container in fixed predetermined advanced position substantially out of said rack; a cover means for said container; hinge means cooperating with said cover means and said container for permitting the swinging of said cover means on said container; cam means on said rack for closing said cover means as said container is being inserted in said rack; and flanges on said cover means extending over said apertures, for preventing dripping liquid from entering said apertures, and spaced from said container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said apertures.

8. A fireproof container, as for storing such combustible and explosive articles as films and the like, comprising: a fireproof container provided with apertures along its sides for permitting the escape of gases therefrom; a cover means for said container; holding means on said cover and said container and means cooperating with both of said holding means for holding said cover in predetermined positions over said container; and flanges on said cover means extending over said apertures for preventing dripping liquid from entering said apertures, and spaced from said container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said apertures.

9. A fireproof filing cabinet, as for storing such combustible and explosive articles as films and the like, comprising: a fireproof container provided with apertures along its sides for permitting the escape of gases therefrom; a rack for supportingsaid container and permitting it to slide thereon; a support bar mounted on said container and adapted to cooperate with the front of said rack for holding said container in fixed predetermined advance position substantially out of said rack; a cover means for said container; hinge means cooperating with said cover means and said container for permitting the vertical swinging of said cover means on said container including means for holding it in predetermined positions over said container; cam means on said rack for closing said cover means as said container is being inserted in said rack; and flanges on the said cover means extending over said apertures, for preventing dripping liquid from entering said apertures, and spaced from said container for permitting gases to escape from said container through said apertures.

10. A fireproof filing cabinet, as for storing such combustible and explosive articles as films and the like, comprising: a fireproof container provided with apertures along its sides for permitting the escape of gasestherefrom; a rack for supporting said container and permitting said container to slide therealong; a support bar mounted onsaid container adapted to cooperate with said rack for supporting said container in predetermined tilted position substantially out of said rack; a cover means for said container; a clip on said cover; a corrugated clip on said container, a loop for operating both said clips for holding said cover in adjustable fixed tilted positions-over said container; cam means on said rack for closing said cover means as said container is being inserted in said rack; and flanges on said cover means mending: over said wperturesg. iorprevent ing dripping liquidsfimm entering sand apex tures, and spaced from said container 01 permitting gases tor esca pe fnemx said contaiiner through said apertures;

In testimony whereof, I hereunto: wfiix my signature.

BYRON F. HANNUM U 

